Randy Chandler
Philadelphia cream cheese is a well-known cheese brand with a rich history that dates back to the 19th century. Despite its name, the cheese was not invented in Philadelphia, but in New York State, specifically in the small town of Chester, by a dairyman named William Lawrence. Lawrence accidentally created the cheese in 1872 while attempting to make Neufchâtel, a French cheese. The resulting product was richer and creamier, and it became a hit. The name Philadelphia was added to the cheese in 1880 as a marketing strategy, leveraging the city's reputation for high-quality dairy products at the time. Today, Philadelphia cream cheese is sold in over 80 countries and is owned by Kraft Foods, with production facilities in the United States, Australia, and Canada.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Chester, New York |
| Creator | William Lawrence |
| Year created | 1872 |
| Current owner | Kraft Heinz and Mondelez International |
| Number of countries sold in | Over 80 |
| Ingredients | Cream, milk, emulsifiers, stabilizers, and salt |
| Minimum milk fat percentage | 33% |
| Moisture content | 55% |
| pH balance | Between 4.5 and 4.9 |
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What You'll Learn
Philadelphia cream cheese was first made in Chester, New York
Philadelphia cream cheese, one of the best-selling brands of cream cheese worldwide, was first made in Chester, New York, in 1872. It was created by dairyman William Lawrence, who accidentally added too much cream to his cheese, resulting in a richer, more spreadable product.
At the time, Lawrence had been attempting to recreate Neufchâtel, a tangy, crumbly French cheese that was popular in Europe. His new cheese proved to be a hit, and he soon partnered with A.L. or Alvah Reynolds, a New York cheese distributor or broker, to sell larger quantities. To improve the branding of his product, Reynolds suggested adding "Philadelphia" to its name, as the city and its surrounding area were known for their high-quality dairy farms and creamier cheese products. Thus, in 1880, "Philadelphia Cream Cheese" was born.
The popularity of Philadelphia cream cheese continued to grow, and it eventually became a staple in households, eateries, and bagel shops worldwide. The brand was bought by the Kraft Cheese Company in 1928, which helped expand its distribution across the United States and later globally. Today, Philadelphia cream cheese is sold in over 80 countries and is produced in several locations worldwide, including the United States, Australia, and Canada.
Despite its name, Philadelphia Cream Cheese has no connection to the city of Philadelphia. The "Philadelphia" in the name is purely a marketing strategy to associate the product with the high-quality dairy products of the region. The addition of "Philadelphia" to the names of dairy products was a common practice at the time, as it signified quality and freshness.
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The name 'Philadelphia' was chosen for its association with high-quality dairy
Philadelphia Cream Cheese is a brand of cream cheese that was first produced in 1872 by New York State dairyman William Lawrence. Despite its name, it was not made in Philadelphia. Instead, it was invented in Chester, New York, where Lawrence lived and worked.
In the mid-1800s, many American dairy farms were producing a fresh, un-aged version of what in Europe was known as Neufchâtel. Philadelphia was a hub for cheeses of this kind and had earned itself a reputation for high-quality dairy products. In 1872, Lawrence accidentally added too much cream to his cheese recipe, creating a richer, more spreadable product. He named it ""cream cheese", and it soon became a successful business venture.
In 1880, Lawrence partnered with A.L. Reynolds, a New York cheese distributor, to sell larger quantities of his cream cheese. At the time, Philadelphia and its surrounding area had a reputation for high-quality dairy farms and creamier cheese products. To capitalise on this, they decided to use the name "Philadelphia" on the foil-wrapped packaging. Thus, "Philadelphia Cream Cheese" was born.
The name "Philadelphia" was chosen for its association with high-quality dairy products. In the 1870s and onwards, Philadelphia was well-known for its butter, cream, and other dairy products. Cities like Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Atlantic City sought to stock their grocery stores with Philadelphia-made dairy. The most popular butter in the 1880s was reportedly "Sharpless Gilt-Edge Butter" or "Sharpless Philadelphia Butter", which was produced in a creamery on the outskirts of Philadelphia.
The choice of the name "Philadelphia" for the cream cheese brand was, therefore, a clever marketing strategy. By leveraging the reputation of Philadelphia's dairy industry, Lawrence and Reynolds were able to create a successful brand that has endured for over a century.
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The original recipe was created by accident
The original recipe for Philadelphia cream cheese was created by accident. In 1872, a dairy farmer named William Lawrence from Chester, New York, accidentally added too much cream while attempting to make Neufchâtel, a tangy, crumbly cheese that was popular in Europe at the time. This mistake resulted in a richer, more spreadable cheese that would eventually be called "cream cheese".
At the time, Philadelphia and its surrounding areas had a reputation for high-quality dairy farms and creamier cheese products. In 1880, Lawrence partnered with A.L. or Alvah Reynolds, a New York cheese distributor or broker, to sell larger quantities of his new cream cheese. Recognizing the marketability of the Philadelphia name, Reynolds suggested adding it to the product, and "Philadelphia Cream Cheese" was born.
The popularity of Philadelphia cream cheese grew rapidly, particularly in the 1920s and 1930s, when it was marketed as a versatile ingredient suitable for both sweet and savoury dishes. The brand was bought by the Kraft Cheese Company in 1928, which helped expand its distribution across the United States and later worldwide. Today, Philadelphia cream cheese is sold in over 80 countries and is one of the most popular and well-recognized cheese brands globally.
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It's now owned by Kraft and Mondelez International
Philadelphia Cream Cheese is currently owned by Kraft Heinz and Mondelez International. The brand has changed hands many times over the years. In 1928, the brand was bought by the Kraft-Phenix Cheese Company, formed by the merger of Phenix Cheese Company and Kraft. In 1930, the National Dairy Products Corp. bought out Kraft-Phenix, and over the next eight decades, the company changed names several times, from National Dairy to Kraftco to Dart & Kraft to Kraft General Foods to the Altria Group, and then to Mondelez International. The brand is now sold under the Kraft Foods Group.
Despite the name, Philadelphia Cream Cheese was not invented in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but in New York State. The name "Philadelphia" was chosen for its association with high-quality dairy products at the time. In the 1870s and 1880s, Philadelphia had a flourishing dairy market and was well-known for its butter, cream, and other dairy products. The city's fertile land and reputation for dairy products made it the perfect namesake for a new cream cheese product.
The origin of Philadelphia Cream Cheese can be traced back to Chester, New York, and a dairyman named William Lawrence. In 1872, Lawrence accidentally created a new type of cheese while attempting to make Neufchâtel, a tangy, crumbly cheese from Europe. He added too much cream, resulting in a richer, more spreadable cheese—what we now know as cream cheese. Lawrence's product gained popularity, and in 1880, he partnered with A.L. Reynolds, a New York cheese distributor, to sell larger quantities. Together, they decided to use the name "Philadelphia" to capitalise on the city's reputation for dairy excellence.
Today, Philadelphia Cream Cheese is a household name and one of the best-selling brands of cream cheese worldwide. It is sold in over 80 countries and is a staple in households, eateries, and bagel shops. The brand's popularity has spread beyond the United States, and it continues to be a favourite among cheese lovers due to its unique flavour and creamy texture.
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It's the world's most popular cream cheese brand
Philadelphia Cream Cheese is the world's most popular cream cheese brand. It is a household name, loved by millions across the globe. The brand is currently owned by Kraft Heinz and Mondelez International. The cheese is produced in several countries, including the United States, Australia, and Canada. It is sold in over 80 countries, making it one of the most widely recognized cheese brands in the world.
The history of Philadelphia Cream Cheese dates back to 1872 when it was first produced by a dairy farmer named William Lawrence in Chester, New York. Lawrence had been making cheese for over a decade when he accidentally created Philadelphia Cream Cheese while trying to recreate the French cheese, Neufchâtel. He added an excessive amount of cream to the mixture, resulting in a richer, more spreadable cheese. Initially, the cheese was simply called ""cream cheese". However, in 1880, Lawrence partnered with A.L. Reynolds, a New York cheese distributor, to sell larger quantities of the product. They decided to use the name ""Philadelphia" on the packaging as the city and its surrounding areas were known for their high-quality dairy farms and creamier cheese products.
The brand's popularity grew rapidly in the 1920s and 1930s when it was marketed as a versatile ingredient suitable for both sweet and savoury dishes. In 1928, the Philadelphia Cream Cheese brand was acquired by the Kraft Cheese Company, which helped expand its distribution across the United States. The brand has since become a staple in households, eateries, and bagel shops worldwide, with its unique flavour and creamy texture making it a favourite among cheese lovers.
Philadelphia Cream Cheese has a mild and slightly tangy flavour, a smooth and creamy texture, and a slightly sweet and fresh aroma. It pairs well with both sweet and savoury flavours and is commonly used in cheesecakes, dips, spreads, and as a topping for bagels, toast, crackers, and fresh fruit. The brand has maintained its popularity over the years, outselling its nearest competitor (Borden) by more than 10 to 1, with approximately 58% of American households preferring the silver-boxed brand.
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Frequently asked questions
Philadelphia cheese is made in several locations worldwide, including the United States, Australia, and Canada. In the US, it is produced in California, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia cheese was originally made in Chester, New York State, by a dairy farmer named William Lawrence.
In the 1880s, Philadelphia was the country's goldmine for dairy products, producing the highest-quality goods due to its fertile land. The name was chosen to emphasise the high quality of the cheese.
Philadelphia cheese was first produced in 1872 by William Lawrence, who had been making cheese for over a decade.
Philadelphia cheese is made from a mixture of cream, milk, and other ingredients, including emulsifiers, stabilisers, and salt.
